Zlatko Kaučič Kombo is a jazz group led by well-known improvising musician, jazz drummer, percussionist and music mentor Zlatko Kaučič. Kombo grew up from jazz oriented music workshop for young kids in Nova Gorica launched in 2001.
After six years of the ongoing learning process tours across Slovenia followed. The proof of their maturation was the first album Skriti kotički svetlobe (The hidden nooks of light, 2005). The second called Biči (Whips, 2008) featuring Italian saxophone player Javier Girotto showed the further progress of the group which at times included young talented players who started their own international musical journey, like guitarist Samo Šalomon.
Zlatko Kaučič
Zlatko Kaučič (b. 1953) is a fine specimen of self-taught improvising and jazz musician who gained most of his rich informal education and music knowledge through learning practise of playing in various music idioms with other musicians abroad (Netherlands, Portugal, Spain).
He's one of the few Slovene jazz musicians with long-time international music experience, constant touring and playing at the international festivals and numerous venues, particularly in Italy.
After his return to Slovenia in 1992 Kaučič has been the major protagonist of new jazz and improvised music. He's been playing and presenting his music projects on main stages from Ljubljana Jazz Festival, jazz Lent Festival, Jazz Cerkno Festival to Druga Godba Festival and Sajeta Creative Camp. Among the musicians he performed with are Gianluigi Trovesi, Peter Brotzmann, Steve Lacy, Antonio Marangolo, Alexander Balanescu, Paul McCandless, Trevor Watts, Louis Sclavis, and Marc Ribot.
Kaučič has been involved in many projects which combined music, poetry and dance.
Among his numerous recordings as a band/project leader stands up his trilogy of CD's to mark his 30th anniversary of being active as working musician, including concert recordings made in 2009 with German saxophone legend Peter Brotzmann (Tolminski punt 2), with singer Saadet Turkoz (Doline) and his trio with J. Girotto (Slakoper).
His vivid solo percussion music, usage of various sound objects, toys, pans and gongs and overall sound sensibility is presented on a solo album Pav (Peacock, Splasc-h Records, 2005).
